Sybill Hyppolite joins WSLC as Legislative Director

OLYMPIA (Oct. 17, 2019) — Sybill Hyppolite has joined the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO as Legislative Director. She will work alongside WSLC Government Affairs Director Joe Kendo to advance the Shared Prosperity agenda of the largest labor organization in Washington state.

Prior to joining the WSLC, Hyppolite served for five years as the Healthcare Policy Specialist at SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, where she worked with labor and community partners to advance legislation and co-create policies to improve access to health care. She also has supported union members to bargain strong contracts.

“We are very excited to welcome Sybill to our legislative team,” said WSLC President Larry Brown. “She’s demonstrated passion and effectiveness advocating to expand health coverage and make it more affordable. We look forward to her continuing that important work here at the council, and advancing the other causes of Washington’s working families.”

“I’ve been a fan of Sybill’s work for a long time and am excited she’s agreed to join the rest of the amazing WSLC staff,” said WSLC Secretary Treasurer April Sims. “I look forward to supporting her leadership as she works with our affiliates and community partners to build power for workers, families, and communities.”

Hyppolite’s career has centered on social justice, empowerment and self-determination. As an organizer at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, she worked on a labor-community campaign to advance hospital accountability. She also brings international experience, having conducted policy research in Haiti funded by a Harvard Kennedy School program. At Partners In Health, she coordinated multi-national logistics and partnerships to help patients access medical treatment abroad. Hyppolite holds a Master of Science in Society, Human Development and Health from Harvard University.

She has firsthand experience of the importance of labor unions in marginalized communities. Raised by Haitian parents in a union household, Hyppolite learned organizing strategies from her mother, an administrative assistant committed to the struggle for equity. Today, she maintains a commitment to her local community as a yoga facilitator exploring collective healing for collective action.

“I am excited to join the Washington State Labor Council to help elevate the voice of labor in policy and collaborate with affiliates to win legislative victories for working people,” Hyppolite said. “I look forward to building on my existing labor and community partnerships and creating new connections to advance social justice.”

Widely considered to be the “voice of labor” in our state, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, represents and provides services for more than 600 local unions with approximately 550,000 rank-and-file members. Learn more at www.wslc.org.